NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Lowe's and Verizon announced on Tuesday (Nov. 13) that customers of the home improvement retailer's Iris smart home solution, a 2012 CES Innovations Honoree, will now be able to use Verizon's world-class wireless network for remote monitoring and management of their homes. Available to U.S.-based Iris customers beginning Nov. 21, Verizon will be Lowe's exclusive provider of wireless connectivity, employing the nation's most reliable wireless network to deliver additional peace of mind and control when customers are away from their homes.

Launched in July, Iris allows homeowners to monitor and control their homes from anywhere via a smartphone or tablet. The new Verizon wireless connection available via USB modem will connect to the Iris Smart Hub, eliminating the need for homeowners to have a wired broadband connection. The USB modems will be sold on Lowes.com.

"Lowe's is a highly respected retailer in the marketplace and a valued customer, and this is a great opportunity to be the exclusive wireless provider of its award-winning Iris smart home solution," said Scott Eason, vice president of retail and financial services, Verizon Enterprise Solutions. "The trend and expectation from consumers is to be connected to all facets of their lives no matter where they are, and visibility into the home front is invaluable."

Kevin Meagher, Lowe's vice president of smart home, said: "Wireless connectivity is of great value to our Iris customers who would like the freedom to manage and monitor their home without a broadband connection and with the peace of mind that connectivity to their home won't be lost should their Internet connection become interrupted. Verizon has worked with Lowe's for many years, and the extension of this relationship demonstrates our joint commitment to keeping our customers connected to the things most important to them whenever and wherever they choose."

This new wireless addition to the Iris Smart Home solution expands a 14-year relationship between Lowe's and Verizon that includes wireless, wireline and hosting solutions, in addition to professional services consulting.

Lowe's offers three different Iris starter kits that can all be paired with the Verizon wireless USB modem to facilitate connection with the Iris Hub for remote home monitoring and management:

Iris Safe & Secure ($179) – Provides peace of mind to homeowners by using motion and contact sensors to monitor the home when away. Receive an email, text or call when alarm events happen at home or when the children arrive home from school. The kit includes an Iris Hub, motion sensors, a keypad and door, window and cabinet sensors.

Iris Comfort & Control ($179)– Combines the convenience of home automation with the ability to save on energy costs in the home. In addition to the Iris Hub, this kit includes a thermostat which makes programming simple with an intuitive user interface and remote control of home settings through the Iris app. The kit also includes a smart plug that can remotely control devices in the home and report back on a current and historical energy usage.

Iris Smart Kit($299) – Combines the features of Comfort & Control and Safe & Secure in a single kit to deliver a full smart home solution. The kit includes an Iris Hub, a motion sensor, a smart plug, a key pad, a range extender, a smart thermostat and two window, door and cabinet sensors.

Both Lowe's and Verizon will be participating in the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show Jan. 8-11 in Las Vegas. Lowe's will be showcasing the next generation of Iris products and services, including the Verizon Wireless USB Modem.

About Lowe's

With fiscal year 2011 sales of $50.2 billion, Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a FORTUNE® 100 company that serves approximately 15 million customers a week at more than 1,745 home improvement stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with nearly 96 million retail customers nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500. A Dow 30 company with $111 billion in 2011 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of 184,500. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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